How To Be The Difference

As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact, and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every Tuesday and don't forget to follow us on social media!In this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul have a conversation with Tom Dehouck. Today, Tom shares his insight on recruiting, bias and how to achieve bias free hiring to achieve a culture of fairness. Tom is an experienced General Manager in transformation roles with a demonstrated history of achieving results in the technology sector. Skilled in strategy development, M&A, Organizational Design, Business Transformation and Performance Improvement. Chief Customer Officer at TestGorilla.comResources and people mentioned:Talanta Johanna MolinaPaul LynskeyTom Dehouck Test Gorilla Edited by: Valeria Gonzalez Produced by: Melanie Konstandt

As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact, and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every Tuesday and don't forget to follow us on social media!In this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul have a conversation with Hady Mendez. Today, Hady shares her insight on finding your voice and values, and reverse mentoring. With a diverse career spanning over 25 years, Hady has served as: *Head of Equality for a major tech firm, *Held multiple customer-facing roles in high tech and financial services,*Served as a leader across various Employee Resource Groups (ERGs),*Volunteered as an international champion for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women, and *Served as Community School Director at an elementary school in the South Bronx. Resources and people mentioned:Talanta Johanna MolinaPaul LynskeyHady Mendez Edited by: Valeria Gonzalez Produced by: Melanie Konstandt

As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact, and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every Tuesday and don't forget to follow us on social media!In this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul have a conversation with Patrick Mork. Today, Patrick shares his insight on feedback and phychological safety. Patrick Mork is a silicon valley veteran and 4x time chief marketing officer who led the team that launched the Google play brand in 2012. Today he works as a Purpose Driven Leader coach, specialized in startups, company culture and marketing. He uses powerful stories and Co-Active coaching to help senior executives and startup founders make profound changes in their organizations and their lives.Patrick is the author of a new book on personal transformation called Step Back and LEAP. In it he uses powerful stories and practical exercises to help people make profound changes in their professional careers and their lives.Patrick's unique perspective stems from his experience as a consumer marketer at Pepsi-Cola along with over 18 years building brands and marketing campaigns for technology companies including Google, Glu mobile and various startups in Europe and Silicon Valley.In his role as leadership coach and storyteller, Patrick has been a personal advisor to senior executives at Apple, Google, Facebook, and several well-known startups including Onavo (acquired by Facebook), Distimo (acquired by App Annie) and Lime (the giant of electric scooters).Charismatic and Visionary, Patrick has given speeches at many international conferences and company events. He is an expert on topics related to managing change and transformation, the world of startups, marketing, creating and launching technology products and training and managing high performance teams. He has lived in 11 countries, speaks 4 languages and has worked in Europe, the USA and South America.Resources and people mentioned:Talanta Johanna MolinaPaul LynskeyPatrick Mork LEAPStep back and LEAP, written by Patrick MorkEdited by: Valeria Gonzalez Produced by: Melanie Konstandt

As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact, and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every Tuesday and don't forget to follow us on social media!In this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul have a conversation with Kamales Lardi. Today, Kamales shares her insight on diversity, bias, and the use of technology and data. Kamales is a bold and strategic thinker in digital and business transformation. She combines over 23 years of deep cross-industry experience with the latest digital and technology solutions. Kamales is listed in the “Top 10 Global Influencers & Thought Leaders in Digital Transformation” (Thinkers360) and Top 50 Women in Tech Influencers 2021 (The Awards Magazine). She often says, 'technology is not a silver bullet solution, a clear value proposition should drive any transformation effort'. This approach resonates well with many business leaders and has helped her stand out in the digital space. Since establishing Lardi & Partner Consulting GmbH in 2012, Kamales has advised many multinational companies across various industries in Europe, Asia and Africa for over a decade. Kamales believes in the transformative impact of emerging technologies. She has developed deep knowledge and practical experience in a range of emerging technology solutions, such as blockchain, AI, virtual and augmented reality, 3D-printing, IoT and sensor technologies, and robotics process automation among others. Kamales is a Teaching Fellow at Durham University Business School, and is the Chair of the FORBES Business Council Women Executives. She is a dynamic and influential speaker and presents regularly at corporate and industry conferences. In 2022, Kamales was recognized in International 40 Over 40 - The World's Most Inspiring Women by CapGemini Invent and Female One Zero.Resources and people mentioned:Talanta Johanna MolinaPaul LynskeyKamales LardiThe Human Side of Digital Business TransformationEdited by: Valeria Gonzalez Produced by: Melanie Konstandt

As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact, and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every Tuesday and don't forget to follow us on social media!In this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul have a conversation with Aga Rogala. Today, Aga shares her insight on diversity, bias, and the use of technology and data. Aga Rogala is a global talent acquisition professional who has been working for over a decade in the human resources field, with a primary focus on recruitment and talent acquisition. She has had direct and indirect experience with numerous global organizations from diverse sectors such as consulting, banking, telecom, FMCG, building & construction, across various locations in Europe. This exposure has provided her with a deep understanding of different leadership styles and business strategies, as well as the ability to work with multinational teams and overcome diverse challenges. Her passion for learning and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in HR, the future of work, the use of technology and data to drive better business results and people decisions is evident. Additionally, she is a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion.Resources and people mentioned:Talanta Johanna MolinaPaul LynskeyAga RogalaEdited by: Valeria Gonzalez Produced by: Melanie Konstandt

As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact, and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every Tuesday and don't forget to follow us on social media!In this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul have a conversation with Alicia Richardson. Today, Alicia shares her insight on diversity hiring, DEI initiatives and her own diverse job board. Alicia Richardson is SyncD's Lead Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant. She has +5 years of diverse hiring experience, workshop facilitation and public speaking experience.Alicia has worked across various industries, including tech, creative, marketing, and fashion. Companies and clients she has worked with included Spotify, Depop, Analog Folk, Media Cause, House 337 and Looping Group.Alicia has experience building communities and is the Founder of her own diverse job board, Black Create Connect. Alicia has created and executed diverse hiring strategies by conducting detailed audits, research and data analysis. This has resulted in her impacting who companies attract, and how they successfully retain diverse talent.Resources and people mentioned:Talanta Johanna MolinaPaul LynskeyAlicia RichardsonBlack Create ConnectEdited by: Valeria Gonzalez Produced by: Melanie Konstandt

As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact, and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every Tuesday and don't forget to follow us on social media!In this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul have a conversation with Alan Stein. Today, Alan shares his insights on early employment and recruitment. Alan Stein is the Founder & CEO of Kadima Careers, where he is on a mission to accelerate 1 million careers by 2040.A graduate of Columbia Business School, Alan spent nearly 30 years as a successful leader at Google, Meta, Salesforce, Tableau, and American Express. He went from Manager, to Director, to Vice-President, to Global Department Head in about 10 years. In 2016, Alan received Google's Manager Of The Year award.Today, Alan helps underrepresented, underestimated, and underpaid talent land great jobs at top companies. This inspired Alan to create a systematic process — The GROWTH Framework –– to help people break through these obstacles, get hired by the best companies, and build generational wealth.Resources and people mentioned:Talanta Johanna MolinaPaul LynskeyAlan SteinKadima CareersEdited by: Valeria Gonzalez Produced by: Melanie Konstandt

As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact, and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every Tuesday and don't forget to follow us on social media!In this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul have a conversation with Steven Rothberg. Today, Steven shares his insights on early employment and recruitment. Steven Rothberg is the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of College Recruiter job search site, which believes that every student and recent grad deserves a great career. College Recruiter's customers are primarily Fortune 1,000 companies, government agencies, and other employers hiring at scale. They advertise their part-time, seasonal, internship, and entry-level job openings on College Recruiter. Each year, more than 12 million students and recent grads from dozens of countries use College Recruiter to find great, new jobs. Resources and people mentioned:Talanta Johanna MolinaPaul LynskeySteven RothbergCollege RecruiterEdited by: Valeria Gonzalez Produced by: Melanie Konstandt

In this episode of How to be the Difference, hosts Johanna Molina and Paul Lynskey selected eight clips of the most interesting and exciting interviews that were presented this last season. In this special edition, we include the best insights from experts working in very different industries: from foreign affairs to venture capital, all the way to funding startups and working in the corporate world.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every other Monday and don't forget to follow us on social media! A selection of the best How to be the Difference podcast moments of 2022As a first selection, we revisit the episode featuring Gina Gotthilf, the co-founder, and COO at Latitud. This company was created to solve problems and remove the obstacles in the path of many brilliant entrepreneurs trying to change the reality of Latin America. In the clip, we learn how Gina helped scale Duolingo from 3 to 200M users, starting with PR to get reporters to talk about Duolingo for free, while learning what messages appealed to them for those stories.Our second clip comes from Jaime Bermudez, former Minister of Foreign Affairs in Colombia and Ambassador of Colombia in Argentina. Jaime is now the President of the Lazard Investment Bank in Colombia but has spent most of his career working in communications, public affairs, and studying social behavior from different perspectives. He discusses the differences between working in the corporate world versus working in politics.The third selected guest is Nathan Lustig, Managing Partner at Magma Partners. Founded in 2014, Magma is an early-stage venture capital fund based in Latin America. Nathan gives his opinion on the future of work and on what professionals should focus on to be part of it.Next, we revisit the very exciting path of Lydia Kibandi, CEO at Lensational, a non-profit social enterprise that aims to elevate the voices of underrepresented women through photography. Lydia has earned recognition as a young leader in her country and globally through a nomination in Kenya's Business Daily Top 40 under 40 women in leadership and her contribution to panels including New York Times Climate Hub at COP26. In this holiday special, Lydia talks about the connection between storytelling and photography.In another very inspirational conversation, Johanna and Paul sit down with Brian York, a serial entrepreneur & angel investor who built Liftit, the largest last-mile truck delivery platform in Latin America, and now CEO and cofounder of Cubbo, the fastest-growing e-commerce fulfillment business in LatAm. Brian shares his idea of the future of work and the skills needed to be ready for it.Our next selection comes from a Webinar on How the Talent Competition is Changing with Tatiana Goldberg, Head of HR at Unilever Prestige, and Sergio Cadavid, Head of HR at Holcim. In this clip, Tatiana and Sergio talk about solutions for talent retention for companies worldwide, hybrid working at Unilever, and how to build a remote work culture for employees.Next, we revisit a clip from Julian Torres, serial entrepreneur and cofounder of Ontop. Julian has created five other businesses before Ontop, including Fitpal, a company that offers a subscription for unlimited access to gyms and fitness centers. He is also a musician, singer, Forbes contributor, and best-selling author. We talk again with Julian about the best habits to improve mental health and the future of work.Last but not least, we revisit the episode featuring Stela Barcelos, Former Global HR Director in consumer goods multinationals Unilever and Diageo. Stela has over 20 years of experience in senior HR roles partnering with teams across the Americas, Asia, and Europe. In this episode, Stela shares how companies can attract the best talent, insights on global talent acquisition, and some advice to companies unwilling to implement remote work.Outline of this episode:[03:06 ] - Gina Gotthilf: Upscaling Duolingo[09:06] - Jaime Bermudez: Working in the corporate world versus in politics[11:36] - Nathan Lustig: The future of work?[18:05] - Lydia Kibandi: The connection between storytelling and photography[26:41] - Brian York: The skills for the future of work[36:21] - Tatiana Goldberg and Sergio Cadavid: Solutions to talent retention for companies worldwide[47:07] - Julián Torres: Habits to improve mental health[56:59] - Stela Barcelos: Insights on the global talent acquisition and remote workResources and people mentioned:Gina GotthilfDuolingoLatitudJaime BermudezLazard Investment BankNathan LustigMagma PartnersLydia KibandiLensationalBrian YorkLiftitCubboTatiana GoldbergSergio CadavidUnileverHolcimTalanta Julian TorresOntopStela BarcelosUnileverGalapagos TeamJohanna MolinaPaul Lynskey

As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact, and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every other Monday and don't forget to follow us on social media!Coaching the leaders that are building the future of workIn this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with Joanna Danger, Commercial Engineer and Certified Executive Coach with more than a decade of experience in the professional development of senior executives and more than 20 years of experience in team management. Through a structured coaching process, Joanna challenges executives to think differently about how they lead and communicate.Originally from Seattle, Joanna has lived for the past 20 years in Santiago de Chile. She started her career in exports and international business before moving into the world of executive education and management training. As an executive education professional, Joanna worked with Harvard, Yale, and the MIT.After working in training for several years, Joanna incorporated executive coaching into the equation. Through all these years, she's been helping teams be the best teams they can be and helping leaders be the best leaders they can be.In this episode, Joanna shares her insights on coaching and the future of work. She explains what executive coaching is and shares tips on how to choose the right coach for yourself. Joanna talks about why emotional intelligence and valuing diversity are top leadership competencies and about detecting and avoiding burnout. Finally, she explains why remote teams can fall into a default setting of working in silos and how this can affect their performance.Outline of this episode:[03:11] - Joanna's background[05:37] - What is executive coaching?[07:21] - How to identify if you need coaching?[08:57] - Emotional intelligence in leadership[09:55] - Changes brought by the pandemic[10:56] - Common pitfalls for remote team leaders[13:41] - Building a culture for remote-first teams[16:04] - Fostering communication and connection on remote teams[17:01] - Common pain points on remote teams for leaders[19:10] - Identifying burnout[21:08] - Joanna's take on the future of work[22:34] - Skills needed for the future of workResources and people mentioned: Joanna DangerTalanta Johanna MolinaPaul LynskeyZenger Folkman

The future of work is here! Are you ready for it?As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact, and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every other Monday and don't forget to follow us on social media!The importance of soft-skills in the future of workIn this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with Jose Caparroso, Business Reporter & Cross-Platform Editor at Forbes LatAm. He was previously a reporter for Grupo Semana in Colombia, and CNN in Espanol in the US. Jose has profiled some of the biggest names in media and business including Reed Hastings, cofounder of Netflix, and Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. He was also awarded with the Citi Journalistic Excellence Award in 2020, and the Ibero-American Economic Journalism Award in 2021.Jose has had a short but powerful career. Starting from a young age participating in radio shows, TV shows and newspapers, Jose didn't hesitate to leave his first job in Colombia's biggest newspaper to join CNN in the US as an intern. This opportunity not only accelerated his career in production and journalism , but also gave him an international perspectiveBack in Colombia, Jose detected that the news media coverage was concentrated on traditional companies from traditional industries, and there was a gap covering startup news. He started reporting news about tech and entrepreneurship, and began getting exclusive coverage and interviews with top CEOs.In this episode, Jose shares his journey and how he is now in the front row witnessing the changes and technology disruptions in Latin America. He responds to questions on the future of media and journalism, and shares his perspective on tools and skills for the future of work.Outline of this episode:[03:19] - Welcome to the show Jose.[03:50] - How did you get started in journalism?[05:58] - How big a step was it to move from Colombia to the US for CNN?[08:34] - How the media has evolved in the last couple of decades.[10:44] - Jose's work in Forbes[13:47] - How do you imagine the future of media and journalism?[15:45] - What is the role of the media in influencing the talent development of the future?[17:58] - What is your opinion on the future of work?[20:35] - Who do you want to interview next and why?[23:14] - How to avoid fake news?Resources and people mentioned:Jose CaparrosoForbes en EspañolTalanta Johanna MolinaPaul Lynskey

The future of work is here! Are you ready for it?As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact, and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every other Monday and don't forget to follow us on social media!Helping companies bring their purpose to lifeIn this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with David Mead, a Keynote speaker that helps teams and organizations take the concepts of great leadership and put them into practice. In 2009 he joined the speaker and author Simon Sinek. For the next 10 years, David traveled the world and helped share Simon's inspiring ideas through public speaking and workshops.In 2019, David decided to go his own way. He continued to provide workshops and help companies find their purpose, but now he also focused on making that purpose a reality. Articulating a purpose is one thing, and implementing it is another. When organizations are vocal about their purpose but don't act accordingly, people lose trust.In this episode, David talks about why trust is the cornerstone of healthy organizational cultures. According to David, honesty, humility, and humanity are necessary to achieve trust within organizations. He also shares his perspective on how companies can face the challenge of building a culture for employees working remotely and talks about the future of work.Outline of this episode:[04:14] - David's background[08:40] - Lessons learned from helping companies find their purpose[10:32] - How can companies implement their purpose?[11:52] - How has David helped companies implement their purpose[15:42] - How can companies create an environment of trust?[21:39] - Common mistakes companies make[23:23] - The future of work according to David[24:26] - Practical examples[28:23] - What's next for David?Resources and people mentioned: David MeadSimon SinekBook Start with WhyTalanta Johanna MolinaPaul Lynskey

The future of work is here! Are you ready for it?As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact, and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every other Monday and don't forget to follow us on social media!From sports to neuroscienceIn this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with Puerto Rican Hector de Jesus Cortes, a Ph.D. candidate in Neuroscience at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas TX. Hector's work in the lab focuses on understanding the brain at different levels to ultimately discover treatments for psychiatric and neurologic disorders. Hector became the first Latino President of the Postdoctoral Association at MIT, was awarded in 2019 with “El Mundo's Latino 30 under 30” with a special award from Blue Cross Blue Shield for his leadership roles and scientific impact in Boston, and more recently with the 2022 MIT School of Science Infinite Award for his awe-inspiring commitment of time and energy to research, outreach, education, mentorship, and community.In this inspiring conversation, Hector shares his journey from wanting to become a baseball player to being at the forefront of lab research for degenerative diseases like Alzheimer. He also discusses neuroplasticity, habits for a healthy brain, and his take on mindfulness.Join this episode of How to be the Difference to learn more about the importance of mentorships, why it is necessary to talk about mental illness, and why curiosity and discipline are more relevant than good grades for success.Outline of this episode:[02:30] - About Hector[04:51] - The importance of having mentors.[07:13] - What is neuroscience and why is it important?[11:35] - How can we exercise mental flexibility in today's world?[15:22] - The importance of practice.[16:33] - Habits to increase plasticity in the brain.[21:54] - What's the future of work?[24:21] - You don't have to be the smartest person in the room.[27:59] - What's next for Hector?Resources and people mentioned: Hector de Jesus CortesTalanta Johanna MolinaPaul Lynskey

The future of work is here! Are you ready for it?As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact, and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every other Monday and don't forget to follow us on social media!A powerful company culture for meaningful workIn this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with Stela Barcelos, Former Global HR Director in consumer goods multinationals Unilever and Diageo. Stela has over 20 years of experience in senior HR roles partnering with teams across the Americas, Asia, and Europe. She is driven by a deep interest in working with people from different cultures to fuel and give life to positive and innovative ideas, and to create impactful transformation.Stela's most recent endeavor is as cofounder of Galapagos Team, a business acceleration company that helps people and organizations amplify their ideas to thrive and create a positive impact through making change possible.In conversation with Stela, she gives insights on how to create a culture within an organization, the new challenges companies face to attract talent, and how HR can be innovative when it is at the service of people and fosters a positive culture.Join this episode of How to be the Difference to dive deeper into company culture, why it is important as an organization to focus on purpose for meaningful work and the immense and amazing power of HR in connecting people from different cultures and backgrounds to work together.Outline of this episode:[00:28]: Greetings from Johanna and Paul[04:06]: Intro to Stela[05:03]: Stela's background and career[05:38]: Getting into HR[07:04]: Staying long-term in one company[09:12]: How to create culture within an organisation[10:18]: How can HR be innovative[14:34]: How can companies attract the best talent[15:45]: Insights on the global talent acquisition and remote work[18:02]: Advice to companies unwilling to implement remote work[19:37]: Jumping into entrepreneurship[21:02]: How can people future-proof themselves?[22:01]: The future of work[24:02]: Advice to leaders and HR managersResources and people mentioned:Stela BarcelosUnileverGalapagos TeamTalanta Johanna MolinaPaul Lynskey

The future of work is here! Are you ready for it?As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact, and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, and remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every other Monday, and don't forget to follow us on social media!Helping companies worldwide build their remote teamsIn this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with Julian Torres, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Ontop. Julián created five other businesses before Ontop, including Fitpal, a company that offers a subscription for unlimited access to gyms and fitness centers. He is also a musician, singer, Forbes contributor, and on top of that, he wrote several bestselling books. Ontop is an end-to-end solution for companies to hire and pay people around the world while complying with rules and regulations. However, Ontop is not just software: it also comprises a team of consultants that can help companies in legal, operational, and financial matters. According to Julian, Ontop wants to be the most trusted advisor in international hiring.In this episode, Julián shares a lot of useful tips and tricks to build remote teams. He explains that the traditional working paradigm has been replaced by a completely different one. Remote work consists of a bunch of people looking at screens communicating, collaborating, and making stuff happen. Listen to this episode to discover why Julian believes the future of work will be hybrid and to learn how to create a healthy and productive remote work culture. He also shares the lessons he learned by adopting mindfulness habits to preserve his mental health.Outline of this episode:[00:45] - Introduction to Julián Torres[04:50] - Ontop's backstory[10:30] - Ground rules to run a fully remote company[14:40] - What is OKR?[17:00] - Ontop as an advisor for international hiring[19:05] - Habits to improve your mental health[24:18] - The future of work, according to Julián[27:20] - Fundamental skills for the future of work[29:27] - About companies that don't believe in hybrid work[31:44] - What's next for JuliánResources and people mentioned:Julián TorresOntopSantiago AparicioJaime AbellaFitpalUniversidad de los AndesBooks by Julián Torres:La Estupidez Colectiva. Published by Penguin Random House (2019)Hábitos Poderosos. Published by Penguin Random House (2022)

The future of work is here! Are you ready for it?As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every other Monday, and don't forget to follow us on social media!Helping people discover the best version of themselves In this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with Jamie Turner, internationally recognized author, professor, consultant, and speaker. Jamie has helped employees at various large companies including The Coca-Cola Company and Microsoft, and specializes in leading, managing, and mentoring. He is also a regular guest on CNN and HLN, where he delivers segments on marketing, persuasion, and leadership. In his long repertoire, Jamie stands out for being the co-author of several essential business books, and his YouTube channel was designated one of the "Top 10 Business YouTube Channels". Nowadays, Jamie enjoys going around the globe to give workshops on topics like business, digital marketing, artificial intelligence, and leadership.In conversation with Johanna and Paul, Jaime shares his love of helping people discover a better version of themselves with tools, techniques and technologies that help them find out who they truly are, so that they can lead the life that they've always hoped to lead. Jamie also discusses the four pillars of leadership, how to rewire your brain, he shares some of his best practices for communication in a remote working environment, discusses the main skills for the future of work, and how to encourage more authentic and real conversations with team members.Outline of this episode:[02:10] - Introduction to Jamie[03:12] - Jamie's background[04:12] - Jamie's techniques to be a better leader[05:11] - The four pillars of leadership[06:10] - Working on your mindset[08:30] - The first line of code[09:40] - The best version of yourself[10:37] - From writing a blog to helping massive companies[11:33] - On being authentic[13:00] - How to encourage more authentic and real conversations with teams?[15:30] - Best practices for remote teams in communication and leadership[18:30] - Problems within a company need more communication[19:00] - Understanding other's style of communication[19:54] - Skills for the future of work[21:36] - What is the future of work?[25:25] - Main skills for the future of work[28:20] - Be your authentic self[28:36] - Jamie's proudest moment[30:11] - What's next for JamieResources and people mentioned:Jamie Turner WebsiteJamie TurnerJohanna MolinaPaul Lynskey

The future of work is here! Are you ready for it?As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every other Monday, and don't forget to follow us on social media!Flexibility and empathy as the new working paradigm In this special episode, Johanna Molina leads a Webinar on How the Talent Competition is Changing with Tatiana Goldberg, Head of HR at Unilever Prestige, and Sergio Cadavid, Head of HR at Holcim. According to Microsoft's Work Trend Index 2022, 52% of Gen Z and Millennials are likely to consider changing employers this year. And according to Talanta's research, most of the world's leading companies have always focused their recruitment on the US and Europe, representing only 14% of the world's population. This leaves the other 86% of the world's top talent behind. Also, these years we've seen an exponential increase in resignations, huge salary inflations, a lack of top talent availability, and a massive transition into hybrid or remote workplaces.In this episode, our guests share their insights on how companies can adapt to all of these fast-paced changes that the talent market is experiencing. Tatiana and Sergio talk about how their companies have adopted new strategies to attract and retain talent. They also discuss why we need to focus more than ever on being empathetic and human with co-workers, why we need to avoid transaction-based connections, why it is important to be intentional about including diversity in our workplaces, and much more.To learn more about amazing internship opportunities, check out Talanta's website.Outline of this episode:[01:45] - About Talanta[02:33] - Introducing guests[05:45] - Introducing today's topic[06:55] - Top challenges faced at Unilever[08:36] - Top challenges faced at Holcim[10:30] - What are the causes for this talent market transformation?[18:33] - Solutions to talent retention for companies worldwide[22:00] - Hybrid working at Unilever[24:20] - Building a remote working culture for employees[28:56] - Cross-border talent competition[33:00] - Diversity and impact[36:35] - How can companies adapt to this transformation?[40:39] - A borderless world for talent, or a world without barriers for talent?[41:50] - Business opportunities emerging from a growing remote talent market[43:45] - Thoughts on soft skills for new talentsResources and people mentioned:Tatiana GoldbergSergio CadavidUnileverHolcimTalanta Johanna MolinaPaul Lynskey

The future of work is here! Are you ready for it?As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every other Monday and don't forget to follow us on social media!Serial entrepreneur with strong Colombian tiesBrian York left Colombia when he was two weeks old, was adopted by a US family and grew up south of Boston. However, Brian never forgot his Colombian heritage and always planned to travel back to meet his biological family who gave him up for adoption as a newborn. Nevertheless, with his entrepreneurial spirit, he ended up staying and co-founding his first LatAm company.In today's How to be the Difference episode, Johanna and Paul sit down with Brian, a serial entrepreneur & angel investor who built Liftit, the largest last-mile truck delivery platform in Latin America, and now CEO and cofounder of Cubbo, the fastest growing e-commerce fulfillment business in LatAm. Cubbo is a Latin American technology company that fulfills e-commerce orders for direct-to-consumer brands through the largest urban warehouse fulfillment network which allows them to do same-day fulfillment. In this episode of How to Be the Difference, Brian shares his amazing story, from growing up in the US and searching his biological family, to creating and testing several enterprises and exiting Liftit. But Brian keeps following his entrepreneurial heart, and now continues rolling up his sleeves and getting dirty in Cubbo's warehouse. Brian is your go-to-person to get things done, with a nomadic spirit and a family guy.To learn more about amazing internship opportunities, check out Talanta's website.Outline of this episode:[02:45] - Introducing Brian York[04:15] - Brian's background[07:09] - On finding his biological family[11:10] - Growing up in the US[13:35] - How did LiftIt came to be[18:26] - Raising for a LatAm startup[20:25] - Starting Cubbo in the middle of the pandemic[23:55] - Participating in Shark Tank[26:04] - Fundraising in today's market[31:40] - Brian's idea of the future of work[37:50] - The skills for the future of work[40:40] - What's next for BrianResources and people mentioned:Brian YorkLiftitCubboJosu GurtubayTalanta Johanna MolinaPaul Lynskey

The future of work is here! Are you ready for it?As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every other Monday and don't forget to follow us on social media!Bringing Latin American entrepreneurs togetherAccording to Alex Santana, a community is a cohesive group of people willing to work no matter what towards an ultimate goal that goes beyond their own interests. And Alex has been building one of the most relevant tech startup communities in Latin America for a decade.In today's How to be the Difference episode, Johanna and Paul sit down with Alex Santana, the VC of Capital & Startups at Amazon Web Services. Alex is also a community leader and international facilitator at Startup Weekend, an organization that aims to educate entrepreneurs in 54 hours. He also serves as a Global Shaper for the World Economic Forum.In this episode, Alex shares his view on why it is important to look at Latin America's startup ecosystem as a whole, where entrepreneurs support each other and join efforts toward creating groundbreaking and efficient products and services. He also explains how the Startup Weekend event helps entrepreneurs build in 54 hours replicable and scalable products with a couple of clients and a proof of concept. Alex also gives his insights on what are the most relevant skills and tools professionals and HR managers need to have to be prepared for the future of work.Outline of this episode:[02:30] - Introduction to Alex Santana[03:10] - Alex's background[04:25] - His position in LatAm's startup ecosystem [07:33] - How do you build a strong community?[10:15] - Building an online community after the Covid-19 pandemic[12:13] - Why is entrepreneurship important for AWS?[14:40] - What is Startup Weekend?[17:25] - Success stories from Startup Weekend[19:30] - Skills necessary to succeed in the future of work[21:18] - Necessary tools for the future of work[24:12] - What will gain relevance in the next few years?[26:25] - Advice for HR leaders[29:35] - What's next for Alex?Resources and people mentioned:Alex SantanaAmazon Web ServicesStartup WeekendTalanta Johanna MolinaPaul Lynskey

The future of work is here! Are you ready for it?As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every other Monday and don't forget to follow us on social media!Storytelling and photography to bring underrepresented women's issues to lightCan gaining a new skill change your life?It certainly does for the underrepresented groups and communities in Africa and Asia who are getting trained in photography and digital storytelling to share their stories and advocate for the issues they face.In today's episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with Lydia Kibandi, CEO at Lensational, a non-profit social enterprise that aims to elevate the voices of underrepresented women through photography. Lydia has earned recognition as a young leader in her country and globally through a nomination in Kenya's Business Daily Top 40 under 40 women in leadership and her contribution in panels including New York Times Climate Hub at COP26.In this episode of How to Be the Difference, Lydia shares how her non-profit Lensational is helping bring light through visual storytelling to issues that women from marginalized communities are going through, in a way that can facilitate dialogue with policymakers and other change agents. To learn more about amazing internship opportunities, check out Talanta's website.Outline of this episode:[01:49] - Introducing Lydia Kibandi[03:20] - About Lensational[04:49] - The impact of the non-profit[07:06] - Lydia's background[09:49] - Volunteering as a way of entering a non-profit[10:48] - Escalating positions within a company[12:30] - Becoming CEO[17:45] - Giving value to an organization[19:10] - The connection between storytelling and photography[26:42] - Meeting policymakers and key stakeholders[29:19] - The real impact of photography[31:03] - The future of workResources and people mentioned:Lydia KibandiLensationalJohanna Molina

The future of work is here! Are you ready for it?As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every other Monday and don't forget to follow us on social media!Shifting the entrepreneurial mindset towards empathyIn this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with Pepe Villatoro, Regional Head of Expansion at Deel, a startup focused on payroll management for remote teams. Pepe Villatoro is one of those must-see figures in the Latin entrepreneurial ecosystem. In his long repertoire as a businessman, he stands out being part of the co-founding team of Fuck Up Nights and being responsible for the expansion of WeWork across all Latinamerica, creating the fastest growing market in Mexico.Today Villatoro adds another challenge to his extensive resume, leading the growth of Deel, a startup focused on payroll management for remote teams, in Mexico, Central America the caribbean and Europe.In this episode of How to Be the Difference, Pepe Villatoro shares his wisdom on how the future of work will unfold and explains why diversity in companies represents opportunities for healthy culture clashes. He gives advice on which are the key skills professionals should learn as remote work is multiplying opportunities in every corner of the world. Pepe also gives us an insight into the origin of Fuck Up Nights, and why it represented a mindset shift for entrepreneurs that participate in the events.To learn more about amazing internship opportunities, check out Talanta's website.Outline of this episode:[00:40] - Pepe's background[03:20] - About Deel and his role as Regional Head of Expansion[07:31] - About the great global resignation[11:35] - Remote work brought cultural diversity, why is it important?[15:54] - The future of work and its impact according to Pepe[18;30] - Important skills for the future of work[23:03] - Ongoing changes in companies' HR departments[31:15] - The origin of Fuck Up Nights[36:55] - How can companies create healthy remote teams?[44:00] - What is next for Deel and for PepeResources and people mentioned:Pepe VillatoroDeelFuck Up NightsWeWorkJohanna MolinaPaul Lynskey

The future of work is here! Are you ready for it?As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every other Monday and don't forget to follow us on social media!A witness to Latin America's startup ecosystem transformationIn this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with Nathan Lustig, Managing Partner at Magma Partners. Founded in 2014, Magma is a seed-stage venture capital fund based in Latin America, the USA, and China.Originally from Wisconsin, USA, Nathan bought a startup while he was studying to major in Political Science. He purchased ExchangeHut, which was a local tickets and textbooks trading site, and transformed it into a national business with over 125,000 users. In 2008, he co-founded Entrustet, a company that allows people to get their digital assets transferred or deleted when they die. He sold both after they gained great success.Nathan then moved to Chile and participated in the Startup Chile pilot program. In 2012, he began teaching a class at a Chilean university titled “How To Build a Startup”. This was when he started giving students advice and support on how to create their own businesses. The path led him down to creating Magma Partners in 2014, and to this date, the VC firm has invested in over 110 startups from Latin America. Since 2014, the startup ecosystem in Latin America changed dramatically, and Nathan witnessed all of it. In conversation with Johanna and Paul, Nathan explains what Magma looks for in startups. He also shares what he thinks are the trends that companies and professionals should hop on to be aligned with the future of work: remote work, flexibility, asynchronous work, and more. Nathan also gives his insights into why tech companies are currently going through serious trouble. To learn more about amazing internship opportunities, check out Talanta's website.Outline of this episode:[03:10] - Introduction to the guest[04:40] - Nathan's background[05:43] - How and why did Nathan create a VC fund in Latin America[07:40] - What changed in Latin America since Magma's first investment?[10:15] - What Magma looks for in startups[12:10] - Skills looking for in a startup's team[15:16] - Nathan's opinion on the future of work[19:58] - How to attract and retain talent[23:54] - What should professionals focus on to be part of the future of work?[26:33] - The importance of learning within frameworks[28:30] - How is repricing affecting Latin American startups[30:26] - Why did startup investments go crazy?[37:20] - Why should startups focus on creating content? [40:53] - What is next for Magma PartnersResources and people mentioned:Nathan LustigMagma PartnersEntrustetExchangeHutStartup ChileBook Startup Chile 101CornershopJohanna MolinaPaul Lynskey

The future of work is here! Are you ready for it?As the working environment continues to evolve, many companies and professionals around the world are adapting, and better yet, leading the way.Join our knowledgeable hosts, Johanna Molina, Talanta's Co-founder and Head of Impact and Paul Lynskey, Talanta's Head of Experience, as they delve into deep discussions with industry thought leaders from top companies around the globe, only on How to be the Difference.Stay ahead of the curve with actionable insights that are reshaping the processes of talent acquisition, human capital management, remote and hybrid workforce development among others.Tune in every other Monday and don't forget to follow us on social media!

An expert in law and communications builds a career in Latin American politicsIn this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with Jaime Bermúdez, former Minister of Foreign Affairs in Colombia and Ambassador of Colombia in Argentina. Jaime is now the President of the Lazard Investment Bank in Colombia but has spent most of his career working in communications, public affairs, and studying social behavior from different perspectives.He obtained his law degree from Universidad Los Andes in Colombia and then completed a Political Science Ph.D. from Oxford University, where he specialized in public opinion, mass media, and communications. After his doctorate, he began his career in politics as an advisor for a candidate that was eventually elected president in Colombia. Jaime believes that being wise is more important than being hyper-specialized in one topic since going out of your comfort zone to study a diverse range of subjects gives you a balanced perspective on how the world works. And he lived his life by this principle: he is interested in philosophy, political science, and history, he worked in crisis management, he is a board member of international organizations, author of two books, he promoted the creation of e-learning and digital content creation companies, and more. In conversation with Johanna and Paul, Jaime shares his journey through different career paths and talks about his experience working in public affairs. He tells us about his perspective on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, his take on how the definition of success has changed in the last decades, and why he thinks internships are great opportunities to learn about different perspectives on reality.To learn more about amazing internship opportunities, check out The Intern Group's website.Outline of this episode:[02:08] - Introduction to this episode's guest[03:07] - Jaime's background[06:30] - Jaime's career aspirations as a child[09:20] - Becoming a specialist in communications[13:16] - His time in politics[17:10] - Jaime's take on Russia's invasion of Ukraine[20:52] - Working in the corporate world versus in politics[23:38] - The role of technology in education[27:40] - Skills required to succeed in the XXIst century according to Jaime [33:10] - Best advice Jaime received[35:30] - Jaime's last book[41:55] - The importance of internships[45:10] - Jaime's opinion on Zelenskyy's leadership[47:52] - What's next for him?People & resources mentioned:Jaime BermúdezOxford UniversityLazard Investment BankUniversidad de Los AndesBook ¿Por qué incumplimos la ley?Johanna MolinaPaul Lynskey

A pioneering platform for the advertising industry in Latin AmericaIn this episode of How to be the difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with Alessandra Angelini, Co-Founder & CEO at Influur, a platform that connects influencers with companies. Influur is an app-based marketplace that directly creates jobs for influencers, creators, and brands around the world. The company's goal is to offer a professional platform for people in the creative industry by building a network, helping influencers understand how to monetize their work, and helping brands understand how to use influencer marketing. Originally from Venezuela, Alessandra moved to the US with her siblings to study English, without knowing they would have to stay in that country for years to come, far away from family and friends. But Angelina and her siblings made the best out of those rough times by finishing their English studies and studying at university. Alessandra dreamt of working at CNN, and so she did after studying broadcast journalism. During her experience at CNN, she became closer to the startup tech world, and different work-related circumstances led Angelina and her now co-founders to find a business opportunity in influencer marketing. Although the Influur app is still in beta mode, some famous Latino influencers such as Sofía Vergara and Juanpa Zurita, and brands such as Universal Music and Warner Music are already using it. In conversation with Johanna and Paul, Alessandra shares why influencer marketing is so important in today's world, as social media is the main entertainment platform. She also explains what are the key skills and recommendations influencers and brands need to enter this world. Alessandra also describes how influencers have today a similar influence on people as political or religious figures do.To learn more about amazing internship opportunities, check out The Intern Group's website.Outline of this episode:[02:25] - Introduction to the episode[02:58] - Alessandra's background[08:00] - What is Influur? [10:55] - What is influencer marketing?[12:55] - Can anybody be an influencer?[14:00] - Connecting Influur to famous influencers[16:24] - Lessons learned from building Influur[17:20] - What makes good storytelling?[19:23] - What's next for Influur[21:38] - Fundamental skills for wannabe influencers[25:45] - Alessandra's best advice[28:33] - How to start being an influencer or using influencer marketing?Resources & people mentioned:Alessandra AngeliniInfluurEstefany OliveiraPaula ColemanValeria AngeliniUniversity of MiamiJohanna MolinaPaul Lynskey

Becoming a Design ThinkerThis week in How to be the Difference we sat down with Carolina Alzate. Carolina is a Design Engineer with a masters in Packaging Design and a specialist in Branding & Packaging Design. Carolina is best described as a Design Thinker and she has been recognized with nine international awards, including four Pentawards (the Oscar's for packaging design) from her work at her first company, ImasD.Carolina is the founder of OpenLAB, an innovation & strategy studio that transforms and accelerates companies through innovation. Johanna and Paul talk to Carolina about her experience founding two creative companies, overcoming difficulties and the mindset needed for success.Carolina's first experience with designing her own life started while choosing her career path. Unable to study medicine as she first wanted, Carolina ended up studying design engineering and this path changed her life forever. In conversation with Johanna and Paul, Carolina shares her insights on networking, her methodology for success and the importance of working in yourself.Listen to this episode to know more about Carolina's journey and what's next for her innovation company Open Lab.Outline of this episode:[0:14] - St. Patrick's Day[1:42] - Introducing Carolina Alzate[2:35] - Welcoming Carolina[3:33] - Carolina's journey[7:08] - Starting her own company[7:48] - Experiencing difficulties[9:28] - Creative mindset[11:31] - On starting a company[17:04] - How to create and nurture your network[19:36] - How to convince companies to change their processes [22:18] - The importance of working in yourself [25:11] - What's next for Open Lab[26:26] - Advice for WomenResources & people mentioned:Carolina AlzateOpenLabImasDPentawardsJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern Group

Changing the paradigm of investing towards a sustainable futureIn this episode of How to be the Difference, Paul and Johanna sit down with Aisha Williams, founder and CEO of ImpactVest, an impact mission-driven fintech group. Aisha is dedicated to investigating why the capital market is inefficient when it comes to investing in projects that have a positive impact. This is why she founded ImpactVest, to change the paradigm and make sure that impact investing translates into real actionable results.Aisha is originally from Chicago, and her career in Foreign Service took her to work in Latin America, South Africa, and the Middle East. But after 8 years of public service, she decided to pivot into the investment world. In the private equity world, she noticed that there was little focus on measuring the outcome of impact investing, especially on measuring the impact of sustainable assets under management (AUM). Assets under management refer to the total market value of all the assets that a fund or a financial services firm manages. And, according to Aisha, in 2025 out of all the AUMs, a third of them will be sustainable. This change in the approach will prevail in the future, but the structure of the capital market is the same as it was 60 years ago. Aisha aims to slowly change how impact investing is done so that all of that capital going into sustainable projects has a measurable and tangible impact on positive change. In conversation with Johanna and Paul, Aisha shares her experience as a diplomat, working in local initiatives, and talks about how difficult it was to leave the public sector to work on private equity. She also shares her insights on how positive change can be done from the private sector when capital is invested optimally to create sustainable impact. Aisha gives us as well a lesson on how to face entrepreneurship and the finance world as a woman in a largely male industry.To learn more about amazing internship opportunities, check out The Intern Group's website.Outline of this episode:[00:00]-Aisha's background as a diplomat[00:00]-Leaving the Foreign Service to work at private equity[00:00]-What is impact investing?[00:00]-Some of Aisha's proudest moments of her career[00:00]-How impact is made locally and on the ground.[00:00]-About the importance of working with a diverse team[00:00]-Her future as an activist and entrepreneur[00:00]-Advice for women considering a career in investment.Resources & people mentioned:Aisha WilliamsImpactVestUN's SDG(Sustainable Development Goals)Johanna MolinaPaul Lynskey Inspirational/interesting quotes:“You never know where your career will take you, you just have to follow your passions and it will always kind of lead you into the right direction”“A lot of impact investing has to do with changing the investor's viewpoint, time horizon and perspective on investing in impact”“Impact investing is stalled because it is not diverse enough”“As a women entrepreneur, you really have to be focused on your goals and know where you are going” “This is the most important tip I have, don't be afraid to walk your own path, and other people will follow you”

In this special episode of How to be the difference, the host Paul Lynskey chats with the three Co-Founders of The Intern Group's: Johanna Molina, Head of Impact David Lloyd, CEO and Lee Carlin, Head of Global Talent and Experience. In this conversation, the three guests talk about how their paths joined when they decided to create The Intern Group, and they share with us the story of the company that provides intern job opportunities for students all over the world.Although they come from different backgrounds, David, Johanna and Lee have always had one thing in common: their desire to travel the world and meet people from different cultures and countries. Since a young age, all three of them lived vital experiences that ignited this curiosity in them: Johanna traveled through Latin America in a car with her father and sister, David spent one year in Argentina learning about a completely different culture, and Lee attended a school where his classmates were the sons and daughters of immigrants from very different countries. After going into more traditional career paths, they realized that this passion was shared with many talented people from different parts of the world. But, in many cases, these were people that lacked access to opportunities that would enable them to live those same experiences that shaped them. That is how they created The Intern Group, to build a bridge between brilliant people and brilliant companies, offering them job opportunities as interns in other countries. The ultimate goal was and still is to inspire and encourage people to believe in and challenge themselves, discover their passion and realize their potential.In this episode, the guests talk in detail about their backgrounds, share insights about how important it is to get out of your comfort zone, about the company's pilot programs in its beginnings, and about how the company shifted its purpose when the pandemic hit in 2020.Outline of the episode:[01:30]- Introducing the guests[01:37]-Johanna Molina[01:56]-David Lloyd[02:03]-Lee Carlin[02:25]- Meeting each other, creating The Intern Group[02:35]-Johanna's background[04:40]-Johanna meets David[06:18]-David's background[10:25]-David leaves the finance world to create The Intern Group[11:47 ]-Lee's background[14:50]-Lee joins The Intern Group[16:50]- Milestones and challenges along the way[16:55]-David shares the igniting idea for The Intern Group, its initial pilot programs[18:30]-Johanna on the first years of The Intern Group[21:05]-Lee's insights on the early stage of The Intern Group[24:10]- Pivotal moments for the company[24:30]-Lee on the first full scale program and on the company's values[27:36]-David on the first partnership, featuring on the press and Covid-19[30:41]-Johanna on The Intern Group scholarships and the pandemic[33:20]- One moment that stood out[33:26]-Johanna's choice[35:45]-Lee's choice[41:15]-David's choice[44:00]-Where is The Intern Group headed to?[44:15]- David on building a borderless world for talent[45:23]-Lee on scaling the company's impact[46:27]-Johanna on offering limitless opportunities

Another selection of the best How to be the Difference podcast momentsIn this episode of How to be the Difference, hosts Johanna Molina and Paul Lynskey selected another 7 clips of the most interesting and exciting interviews that were presented this last season. In this special edition, insights were included from experts working in very different industries and sectors: from venture capital and financial development to podcasting and leadership.As a first selection, we revisited the conversation with Dr. Mandeep Rai, an international best-selling author that wrote The Values Compass: What 101 Countries Teach Us About Purpose, Life, and Leadership. Mandeep has an impressive track record having traveled to more than 150 countries, completed a PhD in Global Values, built a career at JP Morgan, and reported as a journalist for BBC World Service and Reuters. She does a deep dive on how she became a global authority on values, and on how to create your own personal values compass.Secondly, the podcast hosts selected the interview with Andres Barreto, a serial entrepreneur, investor and the Managing Director of Techstars Boulder Accelerator Program. In this conversation, Andrés shared with us his first entrepreneurial endeavors and what it was like being a minority founder in the US. Andres also discusses the reason behind starting Coderise, non-profit organization that teaches code in an inclusive environment and the power of mentorships.On the third place, we go back to Eder Holguin's interview, where he talks about how his perspective on success changed as he got older and why he considers himself a professional problem solver. Eder is an award-winning serial entrepreneur, best-selling author, and a digital sales and marketing expert in the US. He also shares with us the basic principles of marketing and sales and how certain skills were vital to helping him move forward in life. Next, we revisited the conversation with Irene Arias Hofman, CEO of IDB Lab, to talk about her +25 years of experience working for multilateral organizations–including 20 years at the World Bank Group. Irene talks about how, having been exposed to different realities and cultures from a young age, she always knew she wanted to pursue a career in which she would be making a social impact. That's how she found her calling working for organizations that focused on promoting financial development in emerging markets through tech innovation. She also believes that the private and public sectors can work together to foster disruptive innovation with the right foundation.Fifth comes the episode where the podcast hosts sat down with Robbie J. Frye, a self-proclaimed professional inceptionist and host of The Frye Show podcast. Johanna and Paul talked to Robbie about the lessons he's learned from his varied work experiences, and how after moving to Colombia in 2012, Robbie immersed himself in the local creativity and innovation space and eventually launched The Frye Show podcast where he has engaging conversations about creativity, innovation, design, productivity, and success with incredible guests. Robbie also gives us a lesson on how to implement innovation and creativity into your life.Then, we revisited the interview with David Reimer, CEO of the ExCo Group (formerly Merryck & Co), a global firm of experienced CEOs, independent directors, and global business leaders providing C-suite mentoring for organizations. Johanna and Paul talk to David about what it means to step forward as a leader during times of crisis and what he thinks we should look for in a mentor. And last, we selected the best clips from Enzo Cavalie's interview. Enzo works as an Investment Associate at Reach Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage tech tools, applications, content, and services to improve access to educational opportunities. He is also the founder and editor of Startupeable, a platform dedicated to creating educational content in Spanish about startups and venture capital in Latin America. Enzo shares his vision about what are some of the values and skills you need to succeed in this 21st century. Outline of this episode:[01:25]-Dr. Mandeep Rai[02:17] – Becoming a global authority on values[06:00] – On identifying core values[11:24]-Andres Barreto[11:55] – Andres' entrepreneurial journey[22:15]-Eder Holguin[23:06] – Common principles of marketing and sales[25:51] – How to polish your sales skills[28:10]-Irene Arias Hofman[29:00] – An interest in development[32:40] – Public versus private sector[35:30]-Robbie J Frye[35:59] – Innovation and creativity[38:48] – A forced jump versus ignorant jump[42:00]-David Reimer[42:55] – The importance of mentorship[44:41] – Criteria for bringing on a CEO[46:41] – On finding a mentor[49:47]-Enzo Cavalie[50:24] – Enzo's non-negotiable[51:51] – Skills to succeed in the 21st centuryResources and people mentioned:Johanna MolinaPaul Lynskey Mandeep RaiThe Values CompassAndres BarretoTechstarsCoderiseEder HolguinIrene Arias HofmanIDB LabRobbie J FryeThe Frye ShowDavid ReimerThe ExCo GroupEnzo CavalieReach CapitalStartupeable

In this episode of How to be the Difference, hosts Johanna Molina and Paul Lynskey selected 6 clips of the most interesting and exciting interviews that were presented this last season. In this special edition, insights were included from experts working in very different industries: from marketing and journalism to data science and mechanical engineering. As a first selection, we revisited the second episode of How to be the Difference, where Johanna and Paul sat down with Jane Asscher, the founding partner and CEO of 23red, a purpose-driven creative agency that is developing strategies, campaigns, and brands that change behavior for the better. In this conversation, Jane talked about how he chose a career in marketing, about some myths surrounding this industry, and about how to deal with fake news through socially conscious marketing.The second selected guest is Erik Stettler, a data scientist, venture capitalist, and Chief Economist at Toptal, a global network of top talent in business, design, and technology that enables companies to scale their teams on demand. We talk to Erik about what it takes to thrive in the field of data science and why in today's world information is the most valuable commodity.In the third place, we selected clips from a very moving interview Johanna and Paul had with Catalina Escobar, the Founder and President of Juanfe Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is committed to improving the lives of children and adolescents living in extreme poverty in Latin America and tackling one of the core problems that perpetuates poverty in the world: teenage pregnancy. With Juanfe, Catalina managed to lower in 81% the neonatal deaths in Cartagena. Next, we revisited the very exciting career path of William Shaw, the founder and CEO of Ultra Air, a Colombian low-cost airline. William has 26 years of experience in the airline industry and co-founded one of the first low-cost airlines in Latin America: Viva Air. In this interview, William talks about how he fell in love with the industry and what drove him to start an airline of his own.In another very inspirational conversation, the hosts talked to Mauricio Toro, CEO and co-founder of TECHFIT Digital Surgery, a full-service platform that makes patient-specific treatments for bone reconstruction. During the onset of the pandemic, Mauricio decided to design open-source ventilators to save thousands –if not millions– of lives.And as a sixth selection, we revisited the very first How to be the Difference interview with Claire Diaz-Ortiz, a bestselling author of nine books that is also a Partner at Magma Partners. In this conversation, Claire talked about her impressive career and how to succeed in journalism, publishing, and media. She is also a prominent figure in social innovation and currently heads Brava, an initiative that focuses on investing in female founders in Latin America. To learn more about amazing internship opportunities, check out The Intern Group's website.Outline of this episode:[2:45]: Jane Asscher[3:27]: Choosing a career in marketing.[4:49]: Debunking myths.[5:37]: Best advice Jane has ever received[7:30]: Career advice for other women.[9:40]: Erik Stettler[10:20]: Is a career in data science for everyone?[13:00]: Breaking into data science[16:52]: The dark side of data science[20:35] Catalina Escobar[21:33]:Juanfe's backstory[29:15]: A career in the non-profit sector[30:41]: Why personal passion a requirement for a career in NGOs[33:08]: William Shaw[34:14]:Early career in British Airways[37:40]: A change of directions.[39:15]: Arriving to Colombia[41:48]: Creating a low cost airline[44:13]: Mauricio Toro[45:28]:Building an open source ventilator to help the world endure a pandemic[47:35]: Launching the initiative[49:40]:Producing the ventilators.[52:35]: Claire Díaz Ortiz[53:28]: Starting a career in journalism and working at a non-profit in East Africa[54:58]: Finding a niche in writing[55:50]:The importance of social media as a writer[56:48]:Common misconceptions about writersResources and people mentioned:Johanna MolinaPaul Lynskey Jane Asscher23redErik StettlerToptalCatalina EscobarJuanfe FoundationWilliam ShawUltra AirViva AirMauricio ToroTECHFITClaire Díaz-OrtizMagma PartnersBrava Initiative

In this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with María del Mar Vélez to talk about Crack the Code, the startup she founded to empower the future generations of Latin America through tech and code. Crack the Code is a computer science academy that offers courses and workshops in programming, educational robotics, video game development and filming for children. Although she was born in Medellín, Colombia, María del Mar spent her childhood and teenage years in Costa Rica. She then had the opportunity to attend college at the New York University, where she studied Economics and Business. After graduating, she started working at JP Morgan, where she stayed 6 years on a journey that was foundational to who she is now: a brilliant entrepreneur with a solid work ethic. But after this training that was critical for her career, she moved to Lima, Peru, where a new chapter of her life began. She was ready to be an entrepreneur, and she had all the tools needed to found her own startup: Crack the Code.In conversation with Johanna and Paul, María del Mar gives us a lesson on what the future of education looks like. She especially highlights how coding is going to be for Latin American young students the next fundamental step towards opening doors to a multitude of opportunities, just as the English language is currently. Also, they talked about the barriers that still exist in Latin America regarding how parents view the importance of forming their children on technology. Another very interesting topic that was discussed is how the edtech industry is changing in the region, and why it is becoming more and more relevant.To learn more about amazing internship opportunities, check out The Intern Group's website.Outline of this episode:[00:00] - Who is María del Mar Vélez? [00:00] - María del Mar's background[00:00] - A family of entrepreneurs[00:00] - The importance of counting with discipline and a work ethic[00:00] - Creating a startup in Peru[00:00] - The transition to a pandemic [00:00] - Crack the Code's success[00:00] - The coding gender gap[00:00] - Kaszek's investment in the startup[00:00] - The future of edtech industry[00:00] - Goals for 2022 [00:00] - María del Mar's advice to entrepreneurs[00:00] - Cracking the code one step at a timeResources and people mentioned:María del Mar VélezCrack the CodeJP MorganNew York UniversityKaszek VenturesJohanna MolinaPaul Lynskey

Upskilling Latin America's tech talent ft. Doménica ObandoIn this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with Doménica Obando to talk about her experience with Talently, a company she founded to upskill Latin American tech talent and help them get international jobs that can double their salaries.Doménica was born in a small town in Peru, and moving to Lima to study at university was a big change that made her realize how much the power of education can open doors for Latin American professionals. Since then, she has been part of the technology programs of Singularity University, NASA and Google University. After working in startups and in the public sector, she decided she would be an entrepreneur, and that is how she is currently Talently's CEO.In conversation with Johanna and Paul, Doménica talks about how Talently provides scholarships for women in STEM, highlighting the importance of having more women in the tech industry. She also explains why Talently's business model is so unique, and how the edtech industry has potential to close the income gap in the region.To learn more about amazing internship opportunities, check out The Intern Group's website.Outline of this episode:[02:09] - Who is Doménica Obando? [03:04] - Small town girl goes to the big city[04:02] - Doménica's short journey from student to entrepreneur[05:08] - Becoming an entrepreneur and the birth of Talently[05:43] - What is Talently about?[06:36] - The moment Domenica became a startup founder[07:39] - Talently in detail and its business model[09:41] - Women's success stories in Talently[12:47] - How to close the gap between men and women in tech?[14:40] - Closing the gender gap for women since school[16:11] - Where is the edtech industry heading to? [18:19] - Doménica's advice to entrepreneursResources and people mentioned:TalentlyDoménica ObandoJohanna MolinaPaul Lynskey AndiWayraKavakGlobantCornershopMaría del Mar VélezCrack the code

Looking backwards and connecting the dots This week on How to be the Difference we sat down with Cesar Salazar, a serial entrepreneur and an authority in the venture capital world in Latam. Johanna and Paul talk to Cesar about his experience founding more than six companies and investing in over 100 early stage startups in Latin America.Having come from a family of university professors, Cesar has held on to the values instilled by his upbringing of curiosity, creativity and intellectual development. From being socially anxious to organizing hackathons and building communities, Cesar is used to getting out of his comfort zone over and over again.In conversation with Johanna and Paul, Cesar shares his experience on pushing through and breaking mental models to allow for self awareness, curiosity, adaptability and resilience to permeate throughout his life and ultimately into his latest company, Beyond, where he connects creative problem solvers in Mexico with some of the brightest founders in the US.Outline of this episode:[0:50] - Johanna's birthday[1:45] - Introducing César Salazar[3:45] - Following intuition[5:43] - Building community[9:35] - Starting a venture fund[12:36] - A simple life[13:30] - The vibe of Hackathons[15:14] - Break through[19:23] - Expressing who you are[23:00] - The Startup Weekend impact [25:32] - The learning experience [30:52] - A career change[34:38] - The inspiring experience of internship[39:41] - A good cup of coffee[41:36] - What's next for César Salazar? Resources & people mentioned:César SalazarBeyond.devMexican.vc500 startupsJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern Group

An introduction to fintech with Sempli's Esteban Velasco, Ep 20In this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul invite Esteban Velasco to talk about his journey as an entrepreneur and a venture capitalist. In addition to founding Velum Ventures, Esteban is CEO and co-founder of Sempli, a fintech company that focuses on improving the financial health and wellness of Colombian small businesses through its all-in-one finance digital bank.Sempli has supported over 2000 small businesses in Colombia, lent over $55 million dollars, and created the first credit card for small business that isn't backed by a traditional financial institution in Colombia. Esteban shares with Johanna and Paul the lessons he learned declaring bankruptcy during his first entrepreneurial experience, why he decided to work in venture capital and some of the startup success stories he's invested in. They also discuss his decision to become an entrepreneur again and the importance of education – in particular, financial education – for small businesses in Latin America.To learn more about amazing internship opportunities, check out The Intern Group's website.Outline of this episode:[0:27] - Daylight savings in Ireland[2:05] - Introducing Esteban Velaso[3:26] - Coming from an entrepreneurial family[10:54] - Lessons learned from bankruptcy[16:40] - Credit cards for small businesses [21:00] - What is fintech?[23:50] - Financial inclusion for women[26:25] - The power of education [29:45] - Startup success stories[32:18] - What gets you out of bed[34:22] - What's next for Esteban?[36:25] - Sempli's mission statementResources & people mentioned:Esteban VelascoSempliVelum VenturesMerqueoDomiciliosHabiNubankKonfioJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern GroupWhat career is right for me? I don't know what to do with my life. What is the best way to find a job? How to be the Difference is a career advice podcast powered by The Intern Group for students, graduates, and professionals of all ages, who are looking to fast-track their career or want to make a career change. In this series of conversations, leading industry experts address these questions, providing actionable insights on how to make a difference in your chosen career field and ultimately how to make your dream career a reality.Hosted by Johanna Molina, Co-founder and Head of Accessibility and Paul Lynskey, Head of Experience for Europe and Africa at the Intern Group.

For this episode of How to be the Difference, we're revisiting one of our earlier episodes featuring Catalina Escobar, Founder and President of Juanfe Foundation. The nonprofit organization recently won Fundación Mapfre's Award for Best Project for its Social Impact in recognition of Juanfe's impact on over 250,000 families in Latin America over the past 20 years.Breaking into NGO'sIn this episode of How to be the Difference, we invited renowned social entrepreneur Catalina Escobar, the Founder and President of Juanfe Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is committed to improving the lives of children and adolescents living in extreme poverty in Latin America and tackling one of the core problems that perpetuate poverty in the world: teenage pregnancy. We talk to Catalina about the personal story behind Juanfe Foundation, how the tragedy of her 18th month's old son falling from an 8th-floor balcony made her switch her successful career in the private sector to set up a nonprofit sector, and the importance of measuring impact.Outline of this episode:[0:28] - St. Patrick's Day during lockdown[1:55] - How to break into NGOs[3:44] - Catalina Escobar, Fundación Juanfe[5:12] - Juanfe's backstory [13:52] - A career in the non-profit sector[17:29] - Is personal passion a requirement?[19:42] - Living a life with purpose[22:54] - Habits for success[25:02] - Advice to other women Resources & people mentioned:Catalina EscobarJuanfe FoundationEsther DufloRaj SisodiaJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern Group

Closing the opportunity gap through education and technologyIn this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down to talk to fellow podcaster, Enzo Cavalie, about his work as an Investment Associate at Reach Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage tech tools, applications, content, and services to improve access to educational opportunities. Enzo is also the founder and editor of Startupeable, a platform dedicated to creating educational content in Spanish about startups and venture capital in Latin America. Among some of their most valuable resources is the Startupeable podcast hosted by Enzo.Listen to this episode to learn about the basics of venture capital, the future of work, and how technology can help bridge the gap between higher education and the labor market. Once an outsider himself, Enzo talks about the importance of being bold and putting yourself out there when seeking opportunities that only appear to be out of your reach. To learn more about amazing internship opportunities, check out The Intern Group's website.Outline of this episode:[0:28] - What's coming up next on the podcast?[2:45] - Introducing Enzo Cavalie[3:40] - Entering the venture capital world[7:48] - Getting obsessed by accident[13:16] - What you need to know about VC[17:01] - The future of work[22:50] - Reach Capital's investment thesis[25:40] - Competing in the edtech venture capital market[29:10] - Addressing the opportunity gap[35:24] - Enzo's non-negotiable[36:40] - Skills to succeed in the 21st century[40:50] - Books, podcast, & show recommendations[42:58] - Making the most out of an internshipResources & people mentioned:Enzo CavalieReach CapitalStartupeableDalus CapitalJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern GroupBook: BoldPodcast: Acquired, StartupeableHarry StebbingsBill GurleyRuta Startup

Re-empowerment through historically centered re-educationIn this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with Esi Kagale Agyeman Gillo, co-founder and President of DIFFvelopment, a nonprofit organization that empowers Black visionary leaders to prioritize historically and globally conscious community-minded entrepreneurial activity.Esi is inspired by how personal development and entrepreneurship can re-empower the global Black community. She addresses the repercussions that Black economics, the African diaspora, and colonialism have had on the modern Black experience – including access to internship opportunities as a Black person.Esi talks about the importance of understanding one's own history to become an agent of change and how DIFFvelopment equips Black visionaries with the tools and knowledge needed to overcome those structural and historical barriers. To learn more about amazing internship opportunities, check out The Intern Group's website.Outline of this episode:[0:28] - A well-deserved break[1:50] - Introducing Esi Kagale Agyeman Gillo[3:20] - Esi's journey in non-profit organizations[13:16] - The importance of understanding Black history[23:50] - On Esi's first time in Africa[29:30] - Contributing to a more inclusive world[33:55] - Advice to other women, young people, and Black leadersResources & people mentioned:Esi Kagale Agyeman GilloDIFFvelopmentJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern Group

A driving force in genomics research and innovationIn this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sit down with Dr. Catalina Lopez-Correa to talk about her extensive experience in research and innovation in the academic and private sectors. Catalina walks us through her career trajectory that spans over 20 years in seven different countries – from studying medicine in Medellin, Colombia to working for an international pioneer in the world of biobanking and genetics in Reykjavik, Iceland to now leading research efforts for COVID-19 in Canada.Listen to this episode to learn about the fascinating ways in which genomics can be applied across different industries to propel innovation forward.Outline of this episode:[0:28] - A popular name in Latin America[2:00] - The next pandemic[3:20] - Introducing Dr. Catalina Lopez-Correa[4:55] - An interest in genomics[12:35] - The importance of genetics[15:45] - A career in genetics[19:12] - Leading Canada's COVID-19 Genomics Network[21:53] - Lessons learned from the pandemic[24:53] - Skills for success [29:38] - Outlook on the pandemic[32:34] - On the anti-vaccine movement[34:30] - Pandemic preparedness[37:36] - The benefits of ancestry tests[44:39] - How to be the difference[46:40] - Advice for other women in scienceResources & people mentioned:Dr. Catalina Lopez-CorreaGenome Canada - CanCOGeNInmigrant & International Women in ScienceJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern Group

Increasing access to opportunities in the developing worldIn this episode of How to be the Difference, Johanna and Paul sat down with Farzana Karim-Haji, Associate Provost at Aga Khan University, Pakistan's first private university.Farzana has over 19 years of experience in strategic planning and the development of Aga Khan's emerging international projects in Afghanistan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Before joining AKU, Farzana worked at the United Nations Development Programme as a policy specialist on international development issues. Her interdisciplinary background provided her with easily transferable skills as she transitioned from the UN to work in the academic world. Listen to this episode as Farzana explains the impact of building good governance, a strong civil society, and great education programs. She also touches on the importance of controlling brain drain and the decolonization of development.Outline of this episode:[0:28] - Introducing Farzana Karim-Haji[3:38] - Growing up in Nairobi[8:45] - On trying things outside your comfort zone[11:30] - Connection to Aga Khan[17:13] - Increasing opportunities in the developing world[21:22] - What is brain drain?[25:30] - Working in countries in conflict[30:04] - How to help from a distance[32:15] - The future of women in Afghanistan[37:43] - What's next for Farzana?Resources & people mentioned:Farzana Karim-HajiAga KhanJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern Group

The future of leadership In this episode of How to be the Difference, we sat down with David Reimer, CEO of the ExCo Group (formerly Merryck & Co), a global firm of experienced CEOs, independent directors, and global business leaders providing C-suite mentoring for organizations.Over the course of his career, David has seen companies go through every form of stress– downsizing, mergers, and other massive global changes like leading a team through a pandemic. Johanna and Paul talk to David about what it means to step forward as a leader during times of crisis and what he predicts the post-pandemic workforce will look like. They also discuss the difference between being a coach and a mentor, how to be intentional about your values, and what mixing your career with your identity entails.Outline of this episode:[0:28] - [3:00] - Introducing David[4:14] - Becoming CEO of ExCo[7:22] - The importance of mentorship[9:20] - Criteria for bringing on a CEO[11:20] - On finding a mentor[14:30] - Identity and career[21:55] - Transforming leaders [28:15] - Challenges for attracting global, diverse talent [32:55] - The post-pandemic workforce[35:28] - How can we all be the difference Resources & people mentioned:David ReimerThe ExCo GroupDBMJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern GroupBook: Robert E. Lee and Me

The unconventional path that led to The Frye Show podcastIn this episode of How to be the Difference, we sat down with Robbie J Frye, a self-proclaimed professional inceptionist and host of The Frye Show podcast. Johanna and Paul talk to Robbie about the lessons he's learned from his varied work experiences– from car washes and restaurants to studying landscape architecture and excelling as an Apple salesperson. After moving to Colombia in 2012, Robbie immersed himself in the local creativity and innovation space and eventually launched The Frye Show podcast where he has engaging conversations about creativity, innovation, design, productivity, and success with incredible guests.Outline of this episode:[0:28] - Being back in Colombia[1:45] - Introducing Robbie Frye[3:45] - A professional inceptionist[7:46] - An unmarked path to Colombia[16:00] - Hacking empathy[17:50] - Working at Apple[20:22] - Lessons learned at Apple[21:40] - On good habits[24:08] - Innovation and creativity[27:12] - A forced jump versus ignorant jump[30:20] - Major takeaways from The Frye Show[34:56] - Startups and corporations[38:46] - Memorable moments with past guests[41:15] - Legacy for Robbie's daughters[44:15] - What's next for Robbie and The Frye Show?[45:35] - Dealing with silences[54:45] - Choosing to do a podcast in another languageResources & people mentioned:Robbie J FryeThe Frye ShowThe Corvus ShowJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern GroupBuckminster FullerGuibert Englebienne

Investing in emerging markets and leading global teamsIn this episode of How to be the Difference, we sat down with Irene Arias Hofman, CEO of IDB Lab, to talk about her +25 years of experience working for multilateral organizations–including 20 years at the World Bank Group. Having been exposed to different realities and cultures from a young age, Irene always knew she wanted to pursue a career in which she would be making a social impact. That's how she found her calling working for organizations that focused on promoting financial development in emerging markets through tech innovation.In conversation with Johanna and Paul, Irene explains the importance of being able to collaborate with people whose interests don't necessarily align and provides tips on how we can reframe the way in which we think about conventional constraints. She believes that the private and public sectors can work together to foster disruptive innovation with the right foundation. Outline of this episode:[0:28] - Ireland is opening up[3:04] - Introducing Irene [4:40] - Growing up in Madrid[11:32] - An interest in development[15:41] - Public versus private sector[18:28] - Investing in a team[24:17] - On trusting your instinct[27:50] - Skills for success in the modern age[30:28] - A post-pandemic world[32:38] - Working in a male dominant sectorResources & people mentioned:Irene Arias HofmanIDB LabJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern GroupAdam Kahane

#11 Learning to dream big with Lauren BonheimIn this episode of How to be the Difference, we sat down with Lauren Bonheim to talk about how she helps women reach their full potential as a transformational and mindset coach. As an avid traveler and serial expat, Lauren explains how living abroad has shaped who she is today.Part of Lauren's job is to empower women to dream big and to take intentional action to make those dreams a reality. Lauren understands that there's not one way to do life, which is why she helps women define what is important to them and create a life built on their own terms.Outline of this episode:[0:24] - On working remotely[2:33] - Introducing Lauren Bonheim[4:18] - Living abroad[7:25] - Gaining clarity on your life template[9:54] - A change in mindset[13:52] - Design your experience[16:06] - Building a support system abroad[19:20] - Clarity, mindset, and action[23:18] - A work-life balance[26:19] - What's next for Lauren?Resources & people mentioned:Lauren BonheimLauren on locationJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern Group

From homelessness to becoming a CEOIn this episode of How to be the Difference, we sat down with Eder Holguin to talk about his incredible journey from being homeless as a kid in the streets of Medellín, Colombia in the 80s to eventually becoming an award-winning serial entrepreneur, best-selling author, and a digital sales and marketing expert in the US. Eder talks about how his perspective on success changed as he got older and why he considers himself a professional problem solver. He also shares with us the basic principles of marketing and sales and how certain skills were vital to helping him move forward in life.Outline of this episode:[0:33] - Meeting Eder[2:17] - Introducing Eder Holguin[4:20] - Growing up in the streets of Medellín[6:55] - Eder's turning point[9:30] - Tips for success as an entrepreneur[12:57] - A change in perspective[15:54] - This too shall pass[18:49] - On seeing new trends[21:33] - Common principles of marketing and sales[24:39] - How to polish your sales skills[27:18] - Eder's proudest moments[28:15] - Wise words for a post-pandemic world[29:48] - The power of internships[31:58] - What's next for Eder?Resources & people mentioned:Eder HolguinDreaming of Hope StreetJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern Group

How to break into entrepreneurshipIn this episode of How to be the Difference, we caught up with Andres Barreto, a serial entrepreneur, investor and the Managing Director of Techstars Boulder Accelerator Program. Andres is a thought leader in entrepreneurship, product development, analytics, technical recruiting and has participated in conferences throughout the US and Latin America.We sit down with Andres to talk about his first entrepreneurial endeavors and what it was like being a minority founder in the US. Andres also discusses the reason behind starting Coderise, non-profit organization that teaches code in an inclusive environment and the power of mentorships. Outline of this episode:[0:27] - Vaccine update[3:18] - Introducing Andrés Barreto[4:55] - Andres' entrepreneurial journey[15:16] - Creating a music streaming service[17:02] - Getting sued by record labels[17:42] - Andres' proudest moment[20:28] - Choosing people for Coderise[22:00] - What does it mean to be entrepreneurial?[23:35] - About Techstars Boulder Accelerator[25:04] - Techstars success stories[26:44] - Mentorship:Techstars' differentiator[28:06] - Advice on getting mentors[30:50] - Raising capital as a diverse founder[33:32] - Advice for minorities[35:04] - What gets you out of bed?[36:00] - Advice on career changes[37:56] - About Andres' habits[39:08] - Skills for success in the 21st century[40:50] - Experience with interns[42:36] - What's next for Andrés?Resources & people mentioned:Andres BarretoTechstarsCoderiseHolberton SchoolGroovesharksJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern Group

Creating a values compass with Dr. Mandeep RaiIn this episode of How to be the Difference, we sat down with Dr. Mandeep Rai, the international best-selling author of The Values Compass: What 101 Countries Teach Us About Purpose, Life, and Leadership. Mandeep has an impressive track record having traveled to more than 150 countries, completed a PhD in Global Values, built a career at JP Morgan, and reported as a journalist for BBC World Service and Reuters, among other publications. Mandeep does a deep dive on how she became a global authority on values and how creating your own personal values compass can help you navigate today's world. She talks about building relationships with inspirational people like the Dalai Lama and the values and lessons she's taken away from being exposed to different cultures.Outline of this episode:[0:28] - Coming out of lockdown [3:56] - Introducing Mandeep Rai[5:06] - A mammoth trip across Africa[6:04] - A book review from the Dalai Lama[8:16] - Becoming a global authority on values[12:22] - On identifying core values[19:20] - Impact of COVID-19 on values[21:18] - Core values to succeed in today's world[31:22] - What care means to Mandeep's[36:52] - Taking culture into perspective[39:56] - Advice to other women inspired by Mandeep's journeyResources & people mentioned:Mandeep RaiThe Values CompassJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern Group

How to break into Mechanical EngineeringIn this episode of How to be the Difference, we caught up with Mauricio Toro, CEO and co-founder of TECHFIT Digital Surgery, a full service platform that makes patient-specific treatments for bone reconstruction. During the onset of the pandemic, Mauricio decided to design open-source ventilators to save thousands –if not millions– of lives.We sit down with Mauricio to talk about his fascinating career in mechanical engineering and his passion for streamlining innovation processes, as well as how he is able to use his motor sport mentality to develop life saving medical devices. Outline of this episode:[0:28] - On Formula One cars[3:50] - Introducing Mauricio Toro[5:20] - From Medellin to Florida[9:32] - Being a maker at heart[11:46] - Building an open source ventilator[19:10] - Transforming an idea into reality[22:34] - Skills to succeed in engineering[24:58] - Mauricio's experience with internships[30:47] - Advice for university students[33:00] - Resources that inspire[34:29] - What's next for Mauricio?[36:56] - Habits for fostering creativityResources & people mentioned:Mauricio ToroTECHFITSingularity UniversityProfessor Scott GallowayJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern Group

In this episode of How to be the Difference, We caught up with Sue Liburd MBE DL, an award-winning businesswoman with over 25 years of experience in behavioral change, human resource management, and people development. We sit down with Sue to talk about what a job in HR looks like and the different skills needed to succeed in the field. Sue also explains how diversity and inclusion can mean very different things throughout an organization and where the future of HR is headed.Outline of this episode:[0:28] - On Human Resources[1:25] - Sue Liburd, Human Capital Innovation[6:00] - What you need to succeed[10:35] - Setting boundaries[20:10] - The role of HR in remote work[24:08] - Diversity and inclusion[29:28] - The future of HR[33:17] - A career by design[36:50] - Resources that inspireResources & people mentioned:Sue LiburdBooks: Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?: (And How to Fix It), Dare to LeadJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern Group

#5 How to be the difference with William Shaw President of Ultra AirIn this episode of How to be the Difference, we invited William Shaw, the founder and CEO of Ultra Air, a Colombian low-cost airline. William has 26 years of experience in the airline industry and co-founded one of the first low-cost airlines in Latin America: Viva Air. He sits down with Johanna and Paul to talk about how he fell in love with the industry and what drove him to eventually start an airline of his own. William also discusses what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur and takes a moment to reflect on the process of raising capital during economic crises such as the current global pandemic as well as the 2008 economic crisis.Outline of this episode:[0:28] - Coming out of lockdown[1:10] - William Shaw, Ultra Air[2:50] - Early career in British Airways[13:37] - Tools for entrepreneurial success[21:11] - On Colombia's culture of fun[23:55] - Raising capital for an airline[27:40] - Business lessons learned in the pandemic[31:53] - How to build a great team[36:07] - Feeding creativity[38:08] - Are there any resources inspiring you at the moment?Resources & people mentioned:William ShawUltra AirViva AirGreen AfricaFlybondiFlycanaInterjetBooks: The AlchemistJeffrey PfefferJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern Group

In this episode of How to be the Difference, we invited renowned social entrepreneur Catalina Escobar, the Founder and President of Juanfe Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is committed to improving the lives of children and adolescents living in extreme poverty in Latinamerica and tackling one of the core problems that perpetuate poverty in the world: teenage pregnancy. We talk to Catalina about the personal story behind Juanfe Foundation, How the tragedy of her 18th month's old son falling from an 8th-floor balcony made her switch her successful career in the private sector to set up a nonprofit sector, and the importance of measuring impact.Outline of this episode:[0:28] - St. Patrick's Day during lockdown[1:55] - How to break into NGOs[3:44] - Catalina Escobar, Fundación Juanfe[5:12] - Juanfe's backstory [13:52] - A career in the non-profit sector[17:29] - Is personal passion a requirement?[19:42] - Living a life with purpose[22:54] - Habits for success[25:02] - Advice to other women Resources & people mentioned:Catalina EscobarJuanfe FoundationEsther DufloRaj SisodiaJohanna MolinaPaul LynskeyThe Intern Group